new duck owner! help?

[DrangonsAsstnt]

Nevada. I will have to look up places for that. But first I want to makes sure what's wrong. So I think going to the vet is my next move.

 

[Orca5094]

Ok, with the new info my thought is the little guy just needs to be able to clear out his nares. Do they have drinking water deep enough for them to put their whole heads in? Ducks must be able to clear out their nares at all times or they will quickly become clogged with food/dirt/etc.

The trick with little ones like yours is to have a water dish that allows them to get their whole heads in to clean their face, but that also keeps them from getting the rest of themselves in the water. You don't want them to get wet and cold, or make a huge mess of their bedding. Using an old food container with a lid works well. You just cut a hole big enough for them to get their heads through in the lid. Hope that made sense.

If clogged nares is not the problem, then I'd suggest a vet next.

 

[DrangonsAsstnt]

I will do that. I know it's deep enough, but they do get their whole bodies into the water. Can ducks get the equivalent of a cold?

 

[Orca5094]

Yes, they can get respiratory infections, which is alot like a cold.

Make sure your guys cannot get their bodies into their water dish! Ducklings get chilled quickly when wet and they can and will die from that. Be careful and make them a water dish with a lid so they can't get in or tip it over.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The heat isn't the problem. They found their perfect spot with the right temp. It's almost like when your nose is stuffy so you have to breath out of your mouth. That's how it is acting. If it is an infection then yes going to the vet would be my next option. But could there be anything else causing this that I could fix on my own?

Look at it's nares are they plugged with feed? can happen if ducklings can't wash their faces. In the link Needlessjunk gave you their is a pic of a homemade waterer that works really well with ducklings they need to be able to wash their eyes and nares alot especially when eating.

 

[DrangonsAsstnt]

Water dish is being made as we speak. I don't think its nares are the problem. I've watched the other one do their little cleaning thing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Water dish is being made as we speak. I don't think its nares are the problem. I've watched the other one do their little cleaning thing.

Okay watch to make sure it's washing it nares out and add some Apple Cider vinegar to their drinking water. It can kill some bacteria and is a good tonic for them and us actually. 1Tab to 1 gal of water or 1/2 tab to half gallon. She if that helps if no relief in about a day you may want to consider antibiotics But I would do that a last resort. unless you begin to see discharge or swelling with could mean sinus or respiratory infection. also use a thermometer and check temps in your brooder it's just better to know and adjust than to guess. because your going to want to lower the temps by 5* each week anyway.

 

[DrangonsAsstnt]

What is a tab?

 

[Orca5094]

What is a tab?

Tablespoon.

 

[DrangonsAsstnt]

Oh. Ok, gotcha. I will do that. Thank you so much!